LOM Chapter 7: At What Price?

Living at Aaron's was like a vacation in paradise
He let me wake up on my own
Not that I am a huge sleeper
Usually, I always wake up early, especially when I am at a house that wasn't my own
But I had to get used to it
Because the house that was my own, was gone forever

Whenever I woke up, there was breakfast for me
Either on the table or in the fridge
For the first week, it was pretty extravagant
Eggs, Pancakes, bagels with cream cheese and jam

" You don't have to go through all this trouble." I told him one morning
Don't get me wrong it was a nice gesture, and I loved food
But did I really deserve this?
At what price did an alleged child who started a fire get all this special treatment?
But of course, he didn't know it was me who started the fire.

And so he said, "I want to try my best to make sure you feel comfortable here. I'm sure it is pretty awkward living with someone you don't even know."

"And I appreciate it, but you shouldn't change your whole life because of me. You should just go about your normal routine."

An awkward silence crackled against the room. Aaron looked at his empty plate, a glossy stare in his eyes.

He picked up his plate, letting out a crash as he put it in the sink.

"I really don't know what my normal routine is now. I've been on my own for so long. Being an intern with your dad was my next step. I was going to advance in my career, make a life for myself. Now that he's gone,..." he sighed. " I shouldn't put all this on you. You have so much baggage already."

My heart sank. Not only had I disrupted my life, but I had ruined the career of this innocent man, who was just starting to grow.

I owed Aaron.
I owed him my life
And yet, he only saw me as emotional baggage
I couldn't let it go on this way
I knew that living here, with Aaron, had to come with a price
Not this free ride vacation

I got off my chair and walked to face him

"Look, I don't want you to think I'm helpless. Yes, I've been through this traumatic incident, but evidently, so have you. We were both affected by..." I gulped suddenly, not able to admit the words wanting to come out of my mouth.

"I guess all I'm trying to say is, I'm can take care of myself, and I'm more than capable of helping around the house, and helping you to find a new routine, if not improving on your old one."

Aaron closed his eyes, taking time to breathe, before he opened them, a slight smile on his lips.

"You know, It's been a while since I've had kids in this house. My wife was a city girl, who couldn't stand living in the country, even for me. She left to go on vacations, and because of that, I've always wanted to take care of others, out of service. I figured if I gave them the time of their life, they would be happy, and they would stay. And with you, the fire, your parents, I wanted you to be able to fit in here. When it comes to doing things, it's always been me against the world."

"It doesn't have to be that way." I said softly
"I mean really, at home, I fed animals, milked cows, rode horses. My mom even cooked with me on occasion. I know how to help, so please, just let me."

Aaron looked at my fierce eyes, smiling. "I can only imagine what your parents would have been like. If only they could see you now. They would be so proud of you, taking this well, and helping me out. Would you like to do the dishes?"

I laughed. I hated doing dishes. But it was for Aaron.

I took a sponge and soap. "Gladly."

"If you need me, I'll be in my studio, it's in a back room by the garage."

I nodded, slowly starting to scrub the surface of pots and pans.

"If only your parents could see you now." he had said.

If only he knew how bad I wanted to see them
But I don't think they would be as happy to see me.